Senate Resolution No. 983

BY: Senator TEDISCO

COMMENDING Captain David T. Wallingford upon the
occasion of his designation as recipient of a
Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an
individual by the New York State Senate

WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York,
who have served so valiantly and honorably in wars in which this
country's freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace
in peacetime, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Captain
David T. Wallingford upon the occasion of his designation as recipient
of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the
New York State Senate; he will be presented with this prestigious award
at the Brick Dedication for the Malta Veterans Appreciation Program,
which he helped create, on Sunday, June 6, 2021; and

WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by
Resolution and is awarded to individuals who have merited special
commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of
their fellow New Yorkers; and

WHEREAS, David T. Wallingford earned a Bachelor of Arts in
Pre-med/Classics from the College of the Holy Cross, and attended Albany
Medical College before enlisting in the military at the age of 23; and

WHEREAS, Captain David T. Wallingford proudly served his country as
a member of the United States Marine Corps from 1967-1970, during which
time, he saw combat, and was injured during Operation Purple Martin in
March of 1969; while recovering in Japan, he met his wife, Helene, a
Navy nurse; and

WHEREAS, For his courageous service during the Vietnam War, Captain
David T. Wallingford earned numerous military decorations, including the
Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V," Purple Heart Medal, Navy Marine Corps
Commendation Medal with Combat "V," Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential
Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation,
National Defense Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal with Four Stars,
Vietnamese Campaign Medal, Vietnamese Armed Forces Meritorious Unit
Commendation Cross Gallantry Medal with Palm, New York State Conspicuous
Service Cross with One Device and the New York State Conspicuous Service
Star; and

WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military service, Captain David
T. Wallingford worked in produce at Menands Market and for Sysco Foods;
later, he served as Special Assistant to the Director and as Deputy
Director for the Northeast in the New York State Division of Veterans'
Affairs and then as the Regional Administrator for the Division of
Employment Services for the New York State Department of Labor; and

WHEREAS, Dedicated to both his fellow veterans and community,
Captain David T. Wallingford was actively involved in numerous
organizations including Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign

Wars, American Legion, the Stratton VA Medical Center, and Friends of
the New York State Military Museum, as well as the Town of Malta
Veterans Committee; and

WHEREAS, Captain David T. Wallingford also served as the Executive
Director of the Marine Corps Coordinating Council, helping Marines with
financial needs and scholarships at area colleges; for his tireless
efforts, there is a scholarship named in his honor at SUNY Adirondack
Community College, where he also served on its Foundation Board of
Directors; and

WHEREAS, For his steadfast and unremitting commitment to veterans,
Captain David T. Wallingford was named the Military Hero of the Year by
the Northeast New York Chapter of the American Red Cross; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Helene, their four
children, and eight grandchildren, all of whom feel privileged to be a
part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and

WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad,
Captain David T. Wallingford has demonstrated his love for his country
and merits forevermore the highest respect of his State and Nation; and

WHEREAS, Our Nation's veterans deserve to be recognized, commended
and thanked by the people of the State of New York for their service and
for their dedication to their communities, their State and their Nation;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Captain David T. Wallingford upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed
upon an individual by the New York State Senate; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Captain David T. Wallingford.